A genuine interest in hearing people’s stories drew Kristin to Wilder Research in 2008. Since then, she has managed research and evaluation projects in a variety of human services areas with a particular passion for examining family involvement in complex systems, including mental health, health care, child welfare, and disability services systems.

Specifically, Kristin has led several statewide assessments and evaluations of the health care and mental health systems in Minnesota and beyond to identify opportunities for strengthening services and supports for individuals and families. This includes recent studies focused on reasons for patient boarding and discharge delays, telehealth expansion, systems of care for children with mental health concerns, and access to primary care. In addition, Kristin also has over two decades of experience studying families engaged in child welfare and disability services, including a recent study on adoption disruptions and dissolutions and a long-term study of families of children with intellectual and learning disabilities.

Kristin has a master’s degree and a doctorate in family social science from the University of Minnesota.

Kristin has been a member of the Wilder Institutional Review Board since 2012 and has served as the chair since 2019. She is also on the board of St. Paul’s Childhood Center. Kristin has two children, and she is active in the disability community on behalf of her oldest child, who has physical and intellectual disabilities.